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Ouch! Top Life Safety Tips

Author: Friday, May 26th, 2017

Did you know that on average, slips, trips, and/or falls account for 37% of all WKU work-related injuries?

We want to encourage employees to practice daily safety tips that will benefit the entire campus. Help us spread awareness by understanding the most common accidents, and how to prevent them. With a little focus and organization, here’s a few ways you can prevent hazards for you and your fellow Hilltoppers. Use the hashtag #BeWellWKU and post the ways your office or family prevents injuries!

Common Accidents

Tripping over electrical cords or wires

Slipping on wet floors

Tripping when carrying objects that obstruct a person’s view.

Losing balance and falling while descending stairs

Tripping over loose carpeting, loose floor tiles, etc.

Bumping into open desk drawers or filing cabinets

Tripping on uneven ground, such walking as The Hill

How To Prevent Accidents

Keep pathways and walkways open and unobstructed

Clean up spills ASAP and use “wet floor” sign to flag such areas

Avoid carrying large loads that might block your vision

Use the handrails and go slowly down the stairs

Report damaged flooring, sidewalks, carpeting or tiles immediately

Close open desks or file drawers, even though you may not have opened them

Keep your eyes focused on the path ahead of you, not the phone screen in front of you.

General Safety Tips

Have easy access to important phone numbers in case of emergency (i.e. at your work desk or bedside table)

Keep medications and chemicals safely out of reach

Rearrange furniture items to make things more accessible

Put non-slip mats under household rugs and runners

Try to buy round-ended furniture to avoid sharp objects & accessories

Lock away firearms and other weapons

Adpot a guard dog

Protect sliding doors by inserting metal bar on bottom track

Vacation Safety Tips

Lock EVERYTHING

Create the illusion that someone is home (i.e. turn TV on, leave some interior lights on a timer)

Never leave notes on the front door when you go out (for a neighbor or dogsitter)

Lower home phone ringtone (to not advertise that you're not answering)

Unplug certain appliances such as toaster, washing machine, computers

Never leave keys in expected places (under a mat, flowerpot, above the door)